The sun rose up and over the hills as we ventured on with the plan of going to the South with full force. There was hope among the men, hope that we would endure and win over the South to bring peace back to the realm that was once at peace, even though I never remembered such a time. As the days turned to weeks, rolling by like the wind in winter, I could see and feel my own stomach growing, the belly that was harboring and protecting my child was gutting bigger by the day as we traveled on. But the more I looked down at myself, the more I was worried and confused as to why my own belly was bigger than other mothers-to-be whom were as far along as I. Thankfully we had the Maester with us in our travel, thanks to the probing of Sansa and her worry over me in the eve of battle while carrying a heir. Who was I to argue with her, since I was already on thin ice with her by coming along when she wanted me to stay in Winterfell, away from the battle and from harm. I couldn't say no to her, not to my sister whom I held dearly to my heart.
By the time we were about 5 days out from the South, having me no longer need my own furs from the harsh winters of the North and feeling the cool warmth of the South seeping on my skin, I finally caved in and sought out the Maester to see if there was something wrong with the bay. One night I was with both Gendry and the Maester, since Gendry insisted on being there with me to hear if anything was going on with our child. Jon and Stannis understood, though I could see the hesitance in my Uncle-in-law's eyes when it came to Gendry announcing he was not going to come to the meeting they were having that night. But Jon reassured him that all was well and that Gendry's priorities were good and true with the cause.
"Show me you stomach if you would please, Milday." The Maester informed me, having me lift up the shirt I was wearing from being tucked into my pants. This Maester was from House Mormont, whom was asked to join us by Sansa since they had another Maester there at their island realm and not needed him anymore. His name was Maester Connor, not as eldery as other Maesters were, but none the less wise when it came to medicine and history. The Head of House Mormont, Maege Mormont, entrusted us with his service and reassured us that he would remain true to us.
Gendry and I sat on the bed in our tent as the Maester placed his hands on my swollen stomach as Astrid and Koda were watching guard outside the tent. It was round and firm, no doubt in that, but I could see he knew what I was troubled with: the size. It was rather large for how far along I was, and I still had some time before I would deliver. Gendry held my hand as he watched the Maester feel around my stomach, his cool frail hands gave me a shiver but I did not move one second. His cool eyes watched my stomach with his as his light hair was pushed away from his eyes and his worn skin. He once wore the colors of Mormont, but now he wa swearing Stark colors on his robes and with his chains around his neck, showing the knowledge of medicine and history he harbored.
I myself was on pins and needles, worrying if something was wrong with our child. He examined my stomach for a few moments before he stopped his movements, with one hand resting on the side of the stomach near the button and the other hand directly on the other side. He looked up at me, a small smile on his face.
"I see now." He exclaimed, having me look at him in confusion.
"What is it? Is the baby alright?" I asked him in concerned, having Gendry next to me pat my hand with his in order to try and calm me down.
"Yes, yes. In fact….both of them are quite fine." I said nothing as he said this to me. Both….as in….oh Seven Hells. I was now shocked beyond normalcy as he smiled at me, nodding his head since he saw the pure shock on my face.
"Yes Milday, you are carrying twins." I looked down at my own stomach, seeing that it would of made sense that my belly was a bit bigger now than others. Twins, something I never saw coming. I was fine with just one child, but now two?
"Are you sure, Maester, that it's twins?" Gendry asked in his calm tone, but I could see from seeing the glint in his eyes that he was both shocked and excited about the news of two children instead of me.
"Milord, I have birthed and help those with children at least a dozen times in my lifetime in the North villages, and I helped birth Jorah Mormont myself with my old Maester and teacher. Trust me, she is carrying two children. I feel one head here," He moved his left hand that was on the side of my belly, "And the other head on the other side. You should not be surprised since your wife here is in fact a twin, it must run in the family from time to time." I smiled, having me feel bigger tears coming down my face as Gendry immediately kissed my head in a rush of excitement and joy.
"Now, from what I am feeling, both babes are healthy and fine. But this means you must be extra careful since you are now carrying two instead of one. I can made medicine for you, as well as herbs and drinks to help with the pregnancy." He informed me, pulling his hands away and pulling down my shirt for me. I was still shaking from the news of me having twins, but it was a good shake of reality. I didn't see this as a burden, but a golden sign of my future with my family and how we were going to live peacefully together.
"Thank you, Maester." Gendry said aloud, getting up from next to me to shake the Maester's hand. He only smiled and nodded his head, "And if you wish to, perhaps you can help deliver the children when it was time."
"I would be honored, Milord." Maester replied back to him, then going to his small table he had set up with his supplies on hand and I sat up as well, "I am no longer needed at Bear Island, and your good sister has requested for me to be in your stead for the time being." I smiled from hearing this, leave it to Sansa to take care of me when she knew I was fine on my own.
After Maester Connor left for his own area of camp, I was left alone with Gendry once more, I felt him hug me again and give me kisses all over my face which made me smile beyond normalcy. Not one time in this whole situation did Gendry show any negativity on his side when it came to the pregnancy and him benign a father. He was beyond hopeful for our future, for both our two children instead of the one I though it was, and he saw hope in the end of this entire war that we were going to head for. Once he calmed down for cascading kisses on my, I gave him my own kiss on his cheek to show my appreciation that he was sharing with me.
"Did you ever picture yourself as a father?" I asked him as we laid down on bed together, having our own peaceful moment as husband and wife before we would fall asleep, I was on my side, since my back was not too sore for me to sleep on and Gendry was behind me, rubbing my back with one hand and the other wrapped around my side to rest on my swollen stomach. I could feel his nose against my neck and hear him hum in agreement.
"Not really, not at first." He explained, having me wait as he went on, "I never knew my own father, but I knew of my mother. Only small memories though, nothing too much for me to remember. Where I grew up, Nora, children hardly had both parents with them, even more so neither parent. So this, what we have, "He sprawled his fingers out only my stomach as I placed my free hand on his there in that spot, "This is something I can prove to myself and to you, that I am not my father and who he ever was." I paused, hearing the hurt in his voice when he told me that. He was afraid of being his father, the great king whom left his now children for his now pleasures and pride. Gendry did not want to follow in his footsteps, not now or ever. It was clear when he refused to take his birthright to the Iron Throne and pass it to his Uncle, it was clear when he wanted nothing to do with him, and it was clear now in the thought of his two unborn children that I was carrying.
Slowly I moved around in his arms, turning so I was facing him in our bed and I saw him in the light of the candles that were lit there. His tinted blue eyes showing fear, his raven hair was shining and was pushed away from his face and I smiled at him, running my fingers in his hair to soothe him.
"Gendry Baratheon, if there is any sign of your father in you," I explained, seeing him watch me to hear what I wanted to say, "It is your willingness to fight, fight for something you believe in. And I was also told that you have his stubbornness as well." I joked, seeing him grin slightly, but not softening as much as I wanted him too. I gently placed a hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth there and watching him with my seriousness.
"But you are far from him, Gendry. You are kind and good, beyond good. Strong enough to make it out of Flea Bottom with death, and I know you will stick by this family until your last breath. You will be a wonderful father, a loving one and I can't picture anyone else better to raise my children with me." I reminded him, seeing him sigh and close his eyes. I knew his fear, and who was I to tell him not to fear such things. It would harbor me as well if I was in his shoes, having me kiss his closed eyelids with such lightness that he shivered when my lips touched his skin.
"You are not him, Gendry." I whispered to him, hoping he understood and that he knew. We left it therein, the both of us falling asleep in our bed and not having to worry about it once more. I was going to help him as much as I could, since she helped me with my own fears and worried as a Lady for Winterfell. This war, us going out to defend both of our necks, was the last thing we both needed. We needed closure, we needed a life together. The both of us with our children, we needed that freedom to chase away the fears that were haunting us at night.
I wanted this war over with.
A couple of more days passed, and I resolved to wearing dresses that I made to help with my growing stomach, making me look more flowy and less of a warrior. It got to the point where I could not wear my own armor anymore since I was now too big from it, but to my dismay and Gendry's reassurance that I was still a beautiful warrior in his eyes. We made to the South, having us stay outside the are of King's Landing and out of sight for a moment before we would go in at the dead of night. We made camp several miles out of being seen at King's Landing, near the coast after we killed the guards and scouts there from the South.
Our camp was held on the beaches of Blackwater Bay, in which was next part of the plan was to watch for the signal of Tyrell and Martell ships coming across the bay to go to King's Landing. They would take with some of of Stannis's men, dressed to be in disguise as we then to the weaker side of King's Landing to take it by force. I was to be left with Maester Connor, Brennon, Rickon and a battalion of Brotherhood Without Banners and a handful of the men from The Watch to make sure we weren't going to be attacked from our position if something where to do wrong. We also had confirmation that some of the Martell men would stay behind and watch the beach for any ship attacks and retaliations, though it didn't seem likely.
That night was earrie, too much for me to handle as we waited on the beach for the signal of the ships to come though. The plan was for Tyrion, Arya, Bran, James, Sansa, Thoros, some of the men from The Wall, half Stannis Baratheon's men and Loras Tyrell to go on the ships and take on King's landing by the sea. It left Jon, Gendry, Jamie, Brienne, Anguy, Stannis and the other half of his men, Brotherhood Without Banners, the men from the Allied Houses of the North, and the army from Thedra Ascent to split into two groups to take out King's Landing by land. It seemed plausible, as if nothing would go wrong in the whole situation. But there was always that fear that something could go wrong and we would all perish. I had to remind myself that Cersei was no longer in power, but she could still do damage to us, to me.
"A ship is in sight!" I heard from a scout, having me walk over with Sansa and Rickon as we saw two ships floating across the still waters. I couldn't see from where I was, nor could anyone else without the scout there peering in with his trained eyes. The mood was dark and tense, all of us waiting as we saw row boats descending into the water with some men in them, rowing to shore. Jon walked over to me, armored and ready for battle as he looked at Rickon and myself who were staying behind with the group of men.
"Once we board the ship, we will send word for you when it is right for you to come to King's Landing." He explained to me, having me nod my head as he then looked down at our youngest brother, whom himself was looking more like a warrior now then a scared child. It made me proud to see how far along he has come since I first met him some time ago, seeing how he grew in both height and in courage.
"You need to protect our sister, Rickon. Will you promise me that?" He asked him in his older brother kind of tone that he would use every once in awhile with us.
"I won't let her get hurt, Jon. I promise." He replied back, his voice was deeper now as Jon smiled and leaned down to hug him close. I stayed strong for him, and for the rest of the family as the row boats came to shore and someone was approached us, two people were in fact, we all looked and saw it was in fact Loras Tyrell and Tystane Martell in this Houses colors. Loras had his own armor on that was also clad in the Tyrell Gold and Green, whereas Tystane was in his Southerner armor and with his darken skin and bright eyes, wearing his Orange, Red and Gold colors.
"Thank you for coming to our aid." Jon said aloud as they all bowed to each other.
"My sister informed me of the matter and I was more than eager to help get the Lannisters off the throne." Loras explained to him, "I have seen all that they have done and it brings me to joy to see them no longer in power." Jon looked over to Tystane, whom showed eagerness in the battle that was yet to come, though he looked young compared to both Jon and Loras.
"What is Myrcella?" I asked him aloud, knowing that they would both betrothed to one another.
"She is safe in Dorne, and she will not be harmed whilst I am ruling over Dorne." He explained to me with his thick accent that cut through the dark,"Ellaria is watching over her at home while we are here."
"Then let us get underway." Jon said aloud, having Lora and Tystane bow to us once more before heading back to the rowboats and the men that were going with them. I watched as I saw Sansa, Bran and Arya got on the boats, having me feel both fear and worry come over me as Jon placed a hand on my shoulder.
"No one is going to touch them, Nora. I will make sure of that." He explained to me, knowing my fear on my face as they were cloaked in darkness and being surrounded by the other men who were going on the boat. I knew they were going to be safe, since we had two more Houses that were going to protect them and make sure nothing happened to them. It was all about me staying out of sight and away from harm now, that was my task at that moment. I had to be protected, since my life was in the balance. Once Jon walked away, getting ready with the men who were going to ride on horses, saw Gendry walk over to me with his own armor on, hammer at his side and Koda as big as Ghost now at his heels, being his literal shadow as I reached out to Gendry, squeezing his hand in my own and trying to hard no to cry in front of him. The battle before that had him wounded was bad for me, but this was going to be devastating.
"Please stay safe, for me." I pleaded with him, seeing him pull me into his arms and I held him close, moving my swollen stomach slightly to fit into his arms. I held him so close like a vice grip, wanting to freeze this moment knowing that now he was safe with me and no in real danger. But I knew he and to go and fight, for both our family and out future together.
"I love you, Nora Stark Baratheon, and I won't leave this world without you." He vowed to me against me hair, having me feel a tear escape my eye and roll down onto his armor. Gendry placed a hand on my swollen belly, rubbing it lovingly before having me look up at him and see him smile at me.
"We will have a future, the four of us. I promise you." He reassured me, giving me a loving kiss and a soaring heart to hold onto for hours. It still pained me to see him go, to know that he might be wounded once again if not worse, but I had to have hope in him. He was strong enough to get through this, and I saw it in how he was from day to day. I believed in him, and him in me.
And we went to war.
Author Note: So we are almost done with the story and I am glad you guys are liking and favoriting this story, keep spreading it around. ANNNDDDD, and I wondering if there are any artists out there that would give it a shot to draw a picture of Nora and Gendry?
Thanks for reading!